Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Zatariel's point of view

Asha clasped her hands behind her back with suspicious cheerfulness.

"There's a hole in the academy wall," she said proudly, pointing toward the far end of the grounds.

...

I closed my eyes.

There are sentences one does not expect to hear as Student Council President.

"And the shield barrier there has been malfunctioning since last week," she added casually.
"Students have been sneaking out through it."

I pressed my palm against my face.

Since last week.

Seven days of administrative negligence.

I run an institution known for discipline and academic excellence, and we strive for only perfection.

I should know every operational flaw within campus grounds.

That is literally my responsibility.

And yet, apparently, we also operate an unofficial escape route.

Unacceptable.

Technically, it is already past school hours, and we are not violating school rules.

This is still embarrassing.

Beside me, Jayson was calmly modifying our tracking locations on his phone.

"No one will question our absence," he said.

Of course he can do that...

We walked toward the far end of campus, where the landscaping shifts from "maintained elegance" to "decorative neglect."

And there-

Partially hidden behind climbing vines and an extremely suspicious wooden panel-

Was the hole.

An actual hole in the wall.

Asha pushed the wooden cover aside with enthusiasm.

The opening revealed a narrow passage obscured by dense... Is that grass?

Possibly insects.
Potential snakes.
Unverified environmental hazards.

Before I could present a formal objection, Asha grabbed my sleeve.

Jayson had already stepped forward, inspecting the opening with unsettling confidence.

"It's clear," he said.

He entered first.

Asha followed.
Dragging me.

I was forced through the opening with minimal dignity.

Branches protested.
Leaves attacked.

My existence was disrespected.

I stumbled forward as we emerged on the other side.

Jayson steadied me and adjusted my bucket hat.

"...Thank you," I muttered.

Asha landed beside us, looking deeply satisfied.

We were now standing in uneven terrain.

Urgh

Nature is aggressively unorganized.

"Why is everything outside so... irregular?" I asked.

Asha unfolded a printed map.

Huh? Seriously? In this century?